From: Nancy Pearlman, rustee Emeritus, Los Angeles Community College District To: The Heart of LA Democratic Club Dear Heart of LA Members,

As a long-time feminist, environmentalist and public servant, I am pleased to endorse Steve Dunwoody in his efforts to become my next Assemblyperson in the 54th. For over 16 years (four terms), I served as a member of the Board of Trustees of the Los Angeles Community College District. There are special qualities to be an elected official, and I believe that Steve has those abilities.

During my political career, I have seen a number of people come and go in public life. Some good, some not so good, and some fantastic. We most recently had a vacancy in the 54th District due to the resignation of Sebastian Ridley-Thomas, who, to say the least, was not progressive, and might I add, actually hampered our progress as women, with votes against ending the “tampon tax” and against paid family leave.

Fortunately, Steve Dunwoody was willing to challenge Ridley-Thomas but now faces challenges from others. Steve risked both his personal career and prospects of a future political career by taking on an incumbent with a popular family name and establishment support. This is certainly dedication to the position.

Steve has been campaigning for six months now, based on the idea that “we deserve better” than what we have been getting from our elected leaders, in Sacramento. He wants to champion issues such as gender pay equality, 12-week paid family leave, protecting our families from environmental hazards and guaranteeing healthcare for every Californian. He will, of course, stand up for OUR RIGHT to choose!

Now that this seat is open, we need to elect a champion of social and environmental justice causes. While he served as California Director of the Vet Voice Foundation, using the voices of veterans to speak out on public policy issues, Steve championed legislation to protect the San Gabriel Mountains from drilling interests and also advocated for SB 32 and SB350 in Sacramento, two important climate change bills. In our district, he worked with others in the community around the health and safety issues involving the Inglewood Oil Field, speaking before the Culver City Council on the need to find a long term solution to protect the health and well-being of our families.

Steve also took on powerful corporate interests like Big Pharma to fight for lower drug costs, leading to the current discussions on how to achieve single-payer healthcare in California.

I served on the Los Angeles Community College District Board of Trustees with Sydney Kamlager, who recently entered the race for the 54th. As a strong feminist, I know it’s important that women are represented in public office. But, while I respect Sydney, in this election we need more than that. We need people who are committed to the issues and have the courage to make hard decisions when it’s risky, not when it’s safe or simply the next step in their careers.

I ask you to please support Steve Dunwoody. Thank you.

Sincerely yours,

Nancy Pearlman

Trustee Emeritus, Los Angeles Community College District

Anthropology Professor Environmental Documentarian and Radio and TV Broadcaster Candidate 2018 for District 3,